Toy game



(No Model.)

7 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. T. R. THOMPSON.

TOY GAME.

Patented Dec. 27.,- 18

(No Model.)

. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. RQTHOMPSON.

TOY GAME.

j-Eatented Deo. 27, 1887.

N. PETERS, khmn-um w,MaSmngmL 01:.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS R. THOMPSON, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

TOY GAME.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 37 5,513, dated December 27, 1867.

Application filed September 5, 1887. Serial No. 248,783.- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS E. THOMPSON, of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Toy Game; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with accompanying drawings, and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said draw ings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in-

Figure 1, a front view of the case with the figure in broken lines as hidden; Fig. 2, the same front view of the case with the figure ex-' posed; Fig. 3, a rear view of the case with the back removed; Fig. 4, a horizontal section through the case above the inclined table; Fig. 5, a vertical-section of the case; Fig. 6, a horizontal section above the floor, showing the channel which leads to one particular opening; Fig. 7, a modification in the formation of the opening in the case.

This invention relates to a game similar to bagatellethat is to say, a game having an inclined table, over which a marble or ball may be rolled, with vertical pins between which the ball will roll, and by coming in contact with the pins will be deflected from its straight path, the said board being provided with openings through which or into which the ball may roll before reaching the extreme lowest position of the table, the object being to inclose the bagatelle-board in a case and provide apertures or pockets through which the ball may pass to an exposed position outside the case, and so that the extreme descent of the ball over the table to produce the highest count may be indicated by a figure coming into an'exposed position when such extreme movement'of the ball is attained.

- In presenting the case I illustrate an open tent, the figure .to be presented being that of a soldier, represented as coming to the opening of the tent whenever the extreme run of the ball shall have been attained. The case may be of any desirable shape. Its front Ais provided with an opening, B, of any suitable character, according to the illustration. Upon the interior of the case and back of the front is the inclined table 0. This extends from end to end of the case, and through the case,

at the highest end of the table, is an opening, D, through which the marble or ball may be introduced to roll down the table. The table C is provided with several holes, a, more or less in number, and also with a hole, I), at the lower end of the table. Upon the table and between these holes numerous vertical pins, d, are set in like manner as setting the pins for a bagatelle-table. All the holes in the table are sufficiently large to permit the ball to pass through should it come into their range. In running down the table the ballis deflected inthe same manner as by pins in bagatelletables, so that there is the same uncertainty as to which of the holes through the table the ball will be directed. As in the game of bagatelle, the lowest point reached by the ball, after having escaped all the pins and previous holes, should be the highest count, and I so represent it.

Beneath the table is a floor, E, which is inclined from the back to the front, and projecting from the front is a ledge, F. (See Fig. 5.)

Through the front several openings, (1, are made at the ledge, and to which the floor 1'nclines, as seen in Fig.5, so that should the ball or marble drop upon'the floor it may roll through either of the openings d and fall into a corresponding recess, 6, each of the openings in the front being numbered, say, as shown in Fig. 1, and indicate the count to be made by the play which brought the ball or marble to the particular opening.

In the case a longitudinal slide, f, is arranged, provided with aspring, g, of any suitable character. This slide is drawn toward one end of the case-say that which is the lowest end of the tableand is there caught by a spring-latch, h, as seen in Fig. 3. This latch is provided with a chute, t, directly beneath the lowest opening, b, in the table, and so that as the ball drops through that lowest opening, I), it will fall upon the chute t, and its weight will disengage thelatchhfrom t-he slide f. Then the reaction of the slide-spring y will force the slide toward the opposite end of the case. This slide carries the figure, which is here represented as a soldier. When the slide is in the position of engagement with the latch, the figure stands at one side of the opening B in ICC the front, as indicated by broken lines, Fig. 1; but when the slide is released the spring will bring the figure to the opening, and so that it is exposed, as seen in Fig. 2. This exposure of the figure only occurs when the hole b at the lowest point is reached, and this is the highest count.

In order to insure-the ball passing through the last opening, Z, in the series when it has escaped from the chute i, the floor at that point is constructed with a channel, in, (see Fig. 6,) which will direct the ball to that partioular opening, and prevent the possibility of the ball coming to that opening when it shall fall short of the lowest point.

I have described the case as having an open ing formed in its front; but instead of making an opening the front of the case may be made in two parts, a 0, (see Fig. 7,) one part, 0, being the outer part overlapping one edge of the part a, but so as to leave a narrow space, 1', between the two. In this case the figure is arranged to slide out and in through that open ing, so that it will appear to come outside the case, instead of appearing to be exposed through an opening in the case; but it will be observed that under either construction there is an opening in the ease through which the figure is exposed.

The slidefis provided with aknob, s,which works through a slot, t, in the front of the case, so that the figure may he reset'by means of the knob after it shall have been once released.

A bell, 16-, may be arranged at the lower end of the table, which the ball will strike in pass ing through the lowest hole. In this case the figure may be omitted and the game be a very desirable one.

I claim 1. The herein-described game, consisting of a case having an outwardlyprojecting ledge at its floor provided with pockets 0, the said case constructed with corresponding openings leading from the inside to said pockets, the iloor of the case upon the inside being inclined forward toward the said openings, combined with a table above said floor, but longitudinally inclined thereto, with an opening into the case at the highest end of the tablcthrongh which the ball may be introduced, the said table constructed with several openings through it onto theiioor below, and the table provided with several vertical deflecting-pins, one of said holes being at the lower end of the table and beyond the pins, a longitudinal springslide arranged in the case carrying a figure, the case constructed with an opening in its front, through which the said figure may be presented, a spring-latch adapted to engage said slide in the position of holding the figure within the case, with a projection from the said latch beneath the lower hole of said table, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The herein-described game, consisting of a case having its floor inclined toward one side, several openings in that side, and to which said floor inclines, a table above said floor and longitudinally inclined in the ease, with an opening through the case at the higher end of the table, the said table constructed with several holes opening to the floor below, and the table also provided with several vertical deflecting-pins, one of the said holes being below the said pins, the said floor constructed with a channel to which the said lower hole opens, and the said channel leading to one 01 the series of holes in the side of the case, and a bell within the case, substantially as described, the said bell being adapted to be struck as a ball passes through the said lower opening in the table, all substantially as described.

3. The hereindescrihcd game, consisting of a case having a door inclined to one side with several openings through that side of the case, and to all of which the said iloor leads, a table arranged in the case above said floor and longitudinally inclined, an opening through the case at the higher end of the table through which a ball may be introduced, the table constructed with several openings leading to'the inclined floor below, and the table also provided with several pins, one of said holes in the table being below the said pins, the floor beneath the table constructed with a channel below the lower hole in the table and leading directly to one of the openings in the case, a longitudinal slide arranged in the case and provided with a spring adapted to draw the said slide toward one end of the case, a springlatch arranged to engage the slide when drawn toward the other end of the case, the said latch provided with a chute beneath the lower hole in the table and directed into the said channel on the door, the case provided with an opening in one side, and the slide carrying a figure adapted to he presented under the action of the slide through said opening in the case, all substantially as described.

TIIOS. it rnonrson.

Witnesses:

J AMES Bisiior, RUrUs S. PICKETT. 

